Police team up to offer crime prevention advice to Ashbourne retailers

Ashbourne Safer Neighbourhood Team head out on to the Market Place and surrounding streets as part of a crime prevention initiative

Officers from the Ashbourne Safer Neighbourhood Team headed out on the beat to offer reassurance and crime prevention advice to shop keepers following recent incidents.

Overnight between Monday, June 16 and Tuesday, June 17, offenders smashed the ground floor window of a café on St John Street, Ashbourne. An untidy search of the property was carried out and cash was stolen.

On the same night, a store on Victoria Square in Ashbourne was also targeted. Thieves gained entry to the property through a ground floor window and stole cash from within.

The Safer Neighbourhood policing team visited stores on Friday, June 20 to offer reassure following the recent incidents.

The team chatted with local retailers to offer reassurance advice about the steps that they can take to further protect themselves from crime. This includes ensuring that windows and doors are properly secure, alarm systems are activated where available and suspicious activity is reported to police to prevent a crime from happening.

Sergeant Denis Murphy from the Ashbourne Safer Neighbourhood Team said: “The Safer Neighbourhood team are currently investigating these crimes and we are determined to do all that we can to ensure that fewer people become victims.

“I would encourage anyone who may have information about the crimes to contact us on 101. I cannot emphasise enough the importance of the continuing vigilance of the community in reporting suspicious behaviour to us.

“Everyone can play their part in reducing opportunities for thieves by taking some simple steps to protect their businesses and personal property, such as not leaving valuables on show in your vehicle.”

Three vehicles, including a red Peugeot, a silver coloured Nissan and a black Vauxhall Zafira, were broken into. Documents were taken from one of the vehicles.

During patrols, the Safer Neighbourhood officers spoke to residents who were out in the town about the importance of home and vehicle security measures.

If you have any information about the incidents, or would like to speak to the team, call 101, the non-emergency number for Derbyshire police.